Charles Christiansen

Charles Christiansen lives with his wife Beth in Rochester, Minnesota where they  co-own a private boarding and training facility for dressage horses and their riders. Chuck serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations (including OTLLS) and is the immediate past CEO of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation, serving in that role from 2008-2015. Prior to that, he served academic leadership roles at the University of British Columbia, the University of Minnesota; and the University of Texas Medical Branch, where he holds appointment as Professor Emeritus. Dr. Christiansen was born in Panama and schooled in the United States and abroad, graduating from high school in Germany. During his professional career, he earned wide recognition as an academic scholar, writer, and educator in occupational therapy and continues to publish books and papers. He enjoys travel, hiking, cycling, poetry, and philanthropic projects; and he is the proud father of three adult children.

Name and Contact

• Charles Christiansen, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Training and Advanced Certifications

• University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences (BSOT)

• Ball State University (MA, Counseling Psychology)

• University of Houston  (EdD, Education in the Health Professions)

• Baylor College of Medicine (Post Doctoral Residency in Educational Administration)

• Registered Occupational Therapist: National Board  for Certification in Occupational Therapy

• USAF Biomedical Sciences Corps: Squadron Officer School 

Area(s) of Expertise

• Occupational therapy history

• Community health

• Brain injury  rehabilitation

• Lifestyle and health

• History of health care in the United States

• Occupational  science

Awards and Honors

• AOTA Award of Merit

• AOTA/AOTF Wilma West Award

• AOTA: 100  Influential People in Occupational Therapy

• AOTA: Eleanor Clark Slagle Lectureship

• AOTA: Fellow

• Society for the Study of Occupation

• Ruth Zemke Lectureship

• University  of North Dakota: Distinguished Alumnus

• University of Texas Medical Branch: Leone Award  for Administrative Leadership

• Texas Occupational Therapy Association: Occupational  Therapist of the Year

• USAF Biomedical Sciences Corps: Outstanding Junior Officer

Leadership Accomplishments and Passions

• Dr. Christiansen has published numerous scientific papers,  chapters and texts in occupational therapy and occupational science that have been collectively cited over 5,000 times.

• He resides in Rochester, Minnesota with his wife Beth Jones, PhD (a biochemist) where they own an equine boarding and training facility for dressage horses and riders known as Bella Vista Farm. 

• He enjoys cycling, hiking, poetry, volunteering, social advocacy and philanthropy. He has created endowed scholarships in Occupational Therapy at the American Occupational  Therapy Foundation and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

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